Tennessee Titans Morning Links: 100 Yard Dash Edition
by August West on Feb 23, 2009 9:03 AM CST
in Tennessee Titans Links
Email
Print
In perhaps the cruelest joke ever perpetrated on the Titans fanbase, the organization and the agent for Justin McCariens say there is no contract, and there haven't even be discussion between the two sides.
/collective exhale
In combine news which also gives me a good excuse to link to the best album of the past several years: the 40-yard dash is severely overrated, but it's pretty impressive when a guy runs a clean 4.3 40 like Darrius Heyward-Bey ripped off. On the flip-side Penn State's Derrick Williams bombed the sprint with a 4.62 40. Still, don't underestimate the importance of the 100 yard dash; it does a soul good.
The Titans met with Albert's agent Chad Speck at the Combine in Indianapolis, and all reports are that the team significantly increased their offer to Albert. It's important to remember as we move through this process that it's a negotiation not a coronation; both sides will use the media to their advantage and we're just tagging along for the ride
Paul Kuharsky looks back at all of the steps which led to this point in the Haynesworth Saga, and asks if the Titans and Mike Reinfeldt gave away the franchise option too easily in order to get Albert into camp on time last year
Not everyone in Tampa thinks the Bucs will or should be as quick to open the purse-strings for Albert when free agency starts on Friday. The one slice of logic that says they may not get as ardently into the mix as we think is that the Glazer family has never been one to give huge signing bonuses and guaranteed scratch in the past.
Peter King says that Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who dinned with Chad Speck last weekend, may be the owner most likely to outbid the Titans no matter what it takes. You can't really fault a player for taking that kind of money on the only monster contract they'll ever get to sign, but man the Redskins are such a terribly managed organization Albert...
Chris Carr expects to hit free agency, and if he's expecting starter money he'll definitely needs to be looking for it elsewhere.
Worldy reader/commenter Pinoy Titan points us towards this story where the Titans feel pretty sure that they'll be happy to match any other offer Kerry gets on the open market. They believe Kerry will extend us the courtesy of giving the Titans a shot to match any offer because he really wants to stay here, and we've got one distinct advantage over a place like Minnesota: It's hard to start a country music career outside of Nashville.
Pinoy also double-dips today with this link where VY met with Fisher to discuss what he needs to do to win the starting spot back. Regardless of what you think of Vince, there's no way he's giving anything less than 100% towards getting this team back during the off-season. What I'm anxious to see is if it translates during camp and the preseason.
Do it Mikey. Do it and get us what may be the best secondary in football, plus we'd be adding a reliable kick returner. You know you want to...
Every time you email me a link the football gods smile upon you, so if you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com! (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.
58 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Stupid 40 time!
I like Heyward-Bey, but now I am thinking he wont be there when we pick at 30. I, also, am thinking that I am bigger fan of Hicks because he’s got better hands.
Eh. Fast is fine, but we need a guy who can reliablycatch the ball.
I don’t think that’s what H-Bey is. I get the idea that he’s a guy you want if you already have a clear #2 receiver and a better QB than anybody the Titans currently have on their radar.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Yup.
If we’re taking a receiver in the first round, he better be able to catch. A project is a mistake. And, that’s exactly what Heyward-Bey is. I’d be a lot more comfortable with Maclin or Harvin than this guy. People get caught up in 40 yard dash times, but rarely are you running untouched in a straight line while playing football.
Wait until the end of the day today, though. The D-line will do their drills, which means Brian Orakpo. Guy is a freak:
He is a chiseled 253-pounder with 8 percent body fat, stunning power and explosiveness, who throws around 100-pound kettlebells and 180-pound dumbbells. His work in the weight room is eye-popping. Orakpo also benches 515 pounds, power cleans 380 pounds, runs an electronically timed 40 in 4.6 seconds and has a vertical jump of a whopping 42 inches.
I’d imagine he’ll make himself millions today and might even creep into the top 5.
He's a "hybrid"
But at his size, I see him playing pure DE. There’s talks that he could move into a DE/OLB position in a 3-4 system as well.
The guy is 263 today, but with his build I bet he could put on another 30 pounds.
That's what I was thinking when I read this: he'd be perfect for a 3-4.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Someone else made this point on another SB blog
He better not drop to 15. I don’t want to have to deal with defending him and Mario Williams.
I don't.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are some very good 3-4 defenses out there, but I don’t know that I think that the BEST ones run the 3-4. I mean, name an elite 3-4 defense besides the Steelers. Am I missing an obvious one?
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Patriots
Ravens, Cowboys, Chargers have all had excellent defenses out of the 3-4 in the past few years (even if this year was sub-par for some of them).
Where I was raised 2 + 2 = 3rd and 6.
Alright, fair enough.
Like gramsey, I thought the Ravens were still running a 4-6 and wouldn’t have said what I said if I’d realized they switched over to the 3-4.
That said, those other defenses you named are over-rated, especially the Chargers. That Chargers D was a shell of itself without Merriman this year, and that’s a team that has a very long, very rich history of underachievement. I know this because I am a long-suffering Chargers fan.
I grant you that the Patriots typically have a very good scheme, even if they’ve allowed some of their key elements to get a little long in the tooth these last two years.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
It's actually the other way D,
The Ravens switched to a 46 when Rex Ryan came on board (I guess he likes his daddy’s defense). I knew they were running a 3-4 back in the day, but have been running the 46 for 4 or 5 seasons now.
Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!
Come on August!
I am waiting for your morning links and the bash LenDale fest to begin!
Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!
That's what I get for believing August.
LOL.
So then… my statement stands. Without a killer rush-LBer, the 3-4 is weaker than then 4-3. Or, to put it another way, why switch when what you have is working, especially given how hard it is to find a true nose-tackle?
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
well yeah
if you take out the most crucial playmaking position in the defense, it’s not very good anymore. but a dominant OLB can run wild in a way that no single player can in the 4-3. i just love the 3-4 (and the 46) is that is opens up soooooooo many dynamic options to disrupt the offense. the titans go on the “you know what we do, but can you beat it?” mold whereas the other LB heavy schemes are all about “bet you didn’t see THIS coming!”.
albert would be a beast of a nose tackle. he would create lanes to the backfield for blitzers like nobody’s business. when albert is in the 4-3 with no blitzers, the offense can easily set up their double team on him. with the threat of blitzers though, the o-line has infinitely more to think about. advantage: albert.
i also remember when we got kearse, all i could think was this guy would KILL at OLB. yet we played him as an undersized end and his body couldn’t hold up against big LT’s every down.
i’m fine with what we do because we do it damn well. i just like all the option the 3-4 (and even more so w/ 46).
The Official Enforcer of MCM
I'm sorry
I’ve seen lots of “Projects”, and I don’t see that with Heyward Bey…
Harvin and Maclin will both run better 40 times at their pro day’s. I see Maclin and Harvin as more of projects cuz they haven’t been just straight pure WRs in the time they’ve been in college.
Show me some videos where Harvin and Maclin are catching the ball like this with their hands on a consistent basis. He goes up and gets the ball in a “Larry Fitzgerald” type fashion…
by Big Bad Bulluck on Feb 23, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
Oh yeah
After the first 3:30 mins is where it gets really good catch-wise
by Big Bad Bulluck on Feb 23, 2009 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
When I say project
I mean it in the sense that we don’t know what we have with Heyward Bey. He reminds me of a Chris Henry at receiver. Good “measurables”, but his production sucks. I’ve seen Maclin/Harvin/Crabtree all produce and dominate games. We know that they have that potential.
Hey-Bey on the other hand isn’t even in the top 125, you read that right, in receptions last year. Someone with that little production raises a serious red flag for me if we’re using a 1st round pick. And, given the history with Chris Henry, I’d be shocked if they take this kid.
Let me also add...
That I understand the, “Maryland doesn’t pass the ball” argument. But, in that regard, the touches he does get should be meaningful, right?
He ranked 93rd in the nation in YPC last year with 14.5 yards.
yeah but,
what was his YAC? (looked for it but couldn’t find it). a low YPC could still be a scheme thing. it sure wasn’t because he can’t stretch the field…
The Official Enforcer of MCM
and for the record
i like nicks a lot too. he catches absolutely everything anywhere near him.
The Official Enforcer of MCM
You make a good point.
YAC is a lot more meaningful than YPC…I just can’t find it anywhere.
Even with a good YAC, though, I wouldn’t get the warm fuzzies about taking this guy unless maybe he falls to us in the second (won’t happen).
While he has the argument
they didn’t throw the ball at Maryland, he also has the argument the QB play there isn’t exactly great… Itsn’t not as though they’re QB can launch it down the field with the likes of Stafford and Bradford.
Ohio States whole offense changed this season, and Brian Robiskie’s numbers went down dramatically. So production isn’t everything… Robiskie will be a very good pro receiver.
by Big Bad Bulluck on Feb 23, 2009 7:33 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe.
And, I’m not saying that Hey-Bey won’t be great. But, if I’m spending a first round pick on him, I need to see more than just a solid 40 time.
He’s the kind of guy I’d be thrilled about in Round 3. Round one is a whole different thing.
Then again, what do I know, I never would have thought to draft CJ last year.
Maclin
12.4 ypc… And thats with Chase Daniel as his QB.
And another guy you like… Harvin had 40 catches for 600 yds… 40 catches? That’s pretty much the same numbers as DHB with a wayyyyy better QB, and a way better team.
by Big Bad Bulluck on Feb 23, 2009 7:46 PM CST up reply actions
yeah, but harvin had 70 rushing attempts last year
70! you could make a very good argument that at florida he was a running back who they split out wide from time to time.
The Official Enforcer of MCM
With more receptions
There is likely to be a regression to more of a normal average.
And, Hal nailed it, Harvin was a RB/WR hybrid. That’s what I’m intrigued about is the thought of him, Vince, and CJ lined up together. /dream
But that should
be even more reason to question him as a WR, are you not hearing what your saying? Your sayin DHB is a project at WR, but that you’d rather have a guy that played mostly RB out there at WR… Which is what we need.
Vince being part of a dream… LoL Exactly bud, dream. So while Maryland’s RB was carrying the ball and taking away touches, Harvin was getting the carries for Florida… What’s the point?
by Big Bad Bulluck on Feb 23, 2009 8:32 PM CST up reply actions
The point is...
That at any given time he was the most dynamic player on the field. Meyer was smart enough to know that he needed to get the ball in his hands any way possible. And, you can’t really argue with the result, right? Very few players are talented enough to do what he did at RB/WR. Harvin, Vince, and CJ on the field all at the same time creates all sorts of problems for opposing defenses because they are all so versatile.
Look, this is digressing into something I didn’t intend. All I really mean to convey is that I think it’s a mistake to use a first round pick on a guy with limited production.
I know what your saying
But my only point is this isn’t college… This isn’t a college type game where guys like Vince and Harvin can just run around at will, you can’t run the wishbone. This is the NFL.
Don’t get worked up, and don’t think that I am. Its not digressing, we are just Titan fans having a friendly debate on what’s best for our franchise. There are guys a lot smarter than us probably doing the same thing right now in our front office ya know.
And I understand you think it’s a mistake based on limited production in college, but Harvin has limited production from the WR position as well as far as I’m concerned. Hell, I would take any of these guys… I’m just hoping for a WR, and from what I’ve seen I hope its DHB. He just looks to me to have the tools to be that #1 we’ve all been dying for.
by Big Bad Bulluck on Feb 23, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions
Good to hear about Vince.
I agree with what August said last week…Kerry will start week 1, but Vince will be the starter by week 17.
Interesting note about Haynesworth and the number of people staying away from that.
I think that Peter King is right and that Big Al is going to Washington for a contract that will be totally absurd.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Does guaranteed money count toward cap space?
Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!
It is pro-rated for the life of the contract
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
Say it with me: Uncapped year in 2011.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
That will be a disaster.
Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!
I think you'll see a work stoppage before there's an uncapped year
because 28 owners are not going to tolerate being overrun by the 3 or 4 owners who will gladly spend the NFL into oblivion. They’d strike rather than watch the current system get blown up.
Where I was raised 2 + 2 = 3rd and 6.
by August West on Feb 23, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
i agree with this
the reason the nfl is the premier sports league in the world is the hard salary cap. no way they want to become MLB or even the NBA where half of the franchises are generally hopeless year after year.
The Official Enforcer of MCM
But until there are hard rules in place for whatever is going to come next...
…you will continue to have teams spend and spend and spend with a lot of the money pushed off into the era that is not yet defined. Dallas is already built like that, and Washington may very well be. These guys aren’t troubling themselves with tomorrow. They are abiding by the rules right now, and the Hell with the consequences.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I think you mean a lockout.
There are two poison pills in the CBA that were supposed to make sure it always gets renewed. One was that it uncapped the salary in the final year of the agreement (to induce the owners) the other is that it adds a year on Free Agency — or something like that — for the players, which would affect a large number of the NFLPA’s members. That was smart collective bargaining that has worked like a charm for 16 years and will hopefully continue to work.
is there a difference between a lock-out and a work stoppage?
anyways I think we’re on the same page here.
Where I was raised 2 + 2 = 3rd and 6.
once the new league year starts March 1st the Cap rules are a massive pain
any guaranteed salary in the next two years counts against the cap this year and any beyond 2 years counts half on the cap.
salary, including roster bonus can only go up 30% a season
I ain't tryin' do you, I'm just tryin' do me
Last album did two, I'm just tryin' do three.
-Young Jeezy "I Luv It
by shake n bake on Feb 23, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
haynesworth
if he goes to wash, you can forget those three considerations he was talking about.
southeast: nope
winning: hell nope
money: kaching!
snyder is a piss poor owner in terms of winning. the skins may be worth a lot of money as a franchise, but they are rarely worth a damn come sundays. snyder spends almost as recklessly as jerry jones, yet rarely gets much out of it. if al heads to DC, you can bet we will never see the same player again. he will quit on that sorry ass franchise the moment he realizes what a mess it is. when he has 3 different head coaches in his first 4 seasons there, he will miss tennessee. hopefully he will see that and take a huge dollar figure from us rather than an insane dollar figure from them.
The Official Enforcer of MCM
DC closer to Knoxville as Tampa is...
and about the same distance to Nashville. Albert added that requirement to his list because of his kids (I’m guessing his ex-wife has primary or joint custody, thus they won’t be moving with him). If that’s the case then it’s really the distance from them more so than the region that matters.
You’re right about the winning though. That franchise is rudderless when it comes to actual management acumen.
Where I was raised 2 + 2 = 3rd and 6.
DC is closer to Knoxville than Tampa is
is what that header should have been…
Where I was raised 2 + 2 = 3rd and 6.
Case of the Mondays.....
Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!
there are places east of bristol in TN that are closer to canada than memphis
there’s a real kick to the head.
but seriously, if it’s just about the family and not the region itself then dc would work location-wise, at least as well as anything besides carolina, atlanta, cinci, or indy
The Official Enforcer of MCM
Here's one
Nashville is closer to Toronto than Memphis is to Johnson City.
If I hit a hole-in-one on this grand slam the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate.
by jasonkylebates on Feb 23, 2009 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
Nobody wants to go to Memphis anyway.
Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
